UC Davis

This dissertation examines the goals and gaps in participatory development for pastoral resilience in Northern Senegal. Using a 5-year-long maralfalfa (Pennisetum spp.) forage project as a case study, we use a postcolonial framework and participatory methods to critique dominant forms of development in West Africa. Traditional development has been prescriptive and has based its practice on outdated colonial assumptions about Africans. Furthermore, it has also been accused of being neocolonial and exploitative. While attempts have been made to incorporate local insight and knowledge into development, these are changing as the West is moving away from the humanitarian aid paradigm.In chapter one, we examine and critique traditional development ideology, which regarded ethnic pluralism in Africa as an obstacle. In working with women's groups to build forages, this research suggests that pluralism in Africa has been misunderstood , and solidarity between women's groups is an indispensable part of their resiliency strategy.In chapter two, we examine and critique large-scale development and its incorporation of participatory methods. This is done using CARE International’s holistic EPT (Enabling Pastoralists to Thrive) framework as a model. This research suggests that it would be difficult for small-scale projects to adopt comprehensive frameworks such as CARE’s, and that specific gender components for the EPT framework could hinder participation at the local level.In chapter three, we look at the changing nature of development as the West rapidly dismantles the humanitarian aid paradigm. We examine the history of large-scale development and posit post-colonial frameworks and participatory methods as viable ways for communities to meet their goals after massive aid packages cease to exist.Overall, this research suggests that participatory projects could be effective in meeting humanitarian goals in West Africa. Furthermore, meeting those goals requires us to think of development as an equal partnership rather than a donor-recipient relationship.